Following the 2025 season, the Green Bay Packers saw defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley bolt for the Miami Dolphins to serve as their head coach. To replace him, they brought in Jonathan Gannon. All things considered, this was a solid pickup when you take into account that Gannon made a name for himself in coaching circles with his defensive chops.
That said, Green Bay will need to give him more talent if they want their new defensive coordinator to succeed.
Granted, Gannon already has several intriguing pieces to work with. Whether it's star pass rusher Micah Parsons or newly acquired cornerback Benjamin St-Juste, the cupboard isn't fully bare. On the other hand, the Packers will enter the 2026 NFL Draft with several needs to address. Fortunately for them, they'll have different ways to take care of them at No. 52, as evidenced in a handful of mock drafts.
Mock draft roundup highlights Packers' potential defensive options at No. 52
Pro Football Network: R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma
Even if the Packers hadn't traded Rashan Gary to the Dallas Cowboys, they would've still needed to bring in another pass rusher opposite Micah Parsons. This is why rolling with R Mason Thomas in Round 2, as Ryan Guthrie of Pro Football Network suggests, isn't that far-fetched.
You'll probably have heard that this is a good year to find a pass rusher, but if Green Bay wants to take one with the 52nd overall selection, R Mason Thomas may be their best choice. As Guthrie notes, the Oklahoma product has the athleticism and burst that will allow him to successfully get after the quarterback in the NFL.
NFL.com: Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona
In his five-round mock draft, Chad Reuter of NFL.com has the Packers taking Treydan Stukes at No. 52. This would be a bit of an odd pick because the Packers are set at safety with Evan Williams and Xavier McKinney, and they also have Javon Bullard as their starting nickel. They could use depth behind them, but it wouldn't make sense to add reinforcements at No. 52 when Green Bay has bigger needs.
Now, the Packers would sure love Stukes' athleticism, instincts, and tracking skills, but he would probably be a luxury pick in Round 2.
The Athletic: D'Angelo Ponds, corner, Indiana
The Packers would love to pick Chris Johnson at No. 52, but D'Angelo Pounds would be no consolation prize. By now, Cheeseheads are surely acquainted with the former Indiana Hoosier because he's been mocked to Green Bay multiple times, including the latest by Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic.
Although Pounds lacks ideal size to play in the boundaries, he can line up inside or outside. That kind of versatility would give Jonathan Gannon ample flexibility to deploy him in different ways. Again, he would be a fine pickup, but Green Bay may have better options at No. 52.
FanSided: Lee Hunter, defensive tackle, Texas Tech
Here's another prospect Packers fans are surely familiar with ahead of the draft. Lee Hunter may be one of the best defensive tackles left when Green Bay is on the clock at No. 52. This is why Cody Williams of FanSided sees him landing in Titletown.
While free-agent acquisition Javon Hargrave gives the Green Bay defensive front an immediate boost, the Packers need a more permanent fix. Hunter won't impress anyone with his athletic prowess, but he showed some serious pass-rush potential at Texas Tech.
The Packers could definitely use Hunter in a rotational role as a rookie and increase his workload as the year progresses.